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long to answer your letter dated August third. We have been busy here planting & gathering this year’s crop of apples & corn. It is hard to believe that winter approaches as it has been very warm this October.
    Sybil is preparing for the winter holidays, & we are hoping you may join us. I know the trip from Virginia is long, but we could arrange to meet you at the train station & bring you to our farm.
    I know we must discuss this matter of dividing my father’s sword & armor collection. I have now read his will & diary & see that he wanted me to inherit it. We can discuss this further when I see you.
    Sybil, the children, & I so hope you can visit & we await your response.
    Your cousin, Gideon
    “Does the paper say anything about where they found this letter?” Violet asked.
    “Yes, it does,” Henry answered. “The letter was sent to them by a Mrs. Louise Hathaway, head librarian for the Chassell Public Library.”
    “I wonder where Louise found that letter,” Rose remarked. “We know her. She would never steal anything from anyone.”
    “We should probably pay a visit to the local library tomorrow,” Henry offered. “We can ask her in person.”
    “Oh, would you?” Seymour sounded grateful. “I can’t leave the farm tomorrow because I want to supervise the pruning.”
    “We’d be glad to go to the library,” Jessie said. “Maybe we can find more clues there.”

CHAPTER 7
A Stranger in the Library
    T he Aldens were up early the next morning. They helped feed the animals and ate a quick breakfast. Then they borrowed some old bicycles that were in the shed and rode into Chassell.
    The library was in a large white clapboard house that was painted white and had green shutters. The Aldens climbed up the brick staircase and entered a large, comfortable reading room.
    Luckily Mrs. Hathaway was one of the librarians on duty. She towered over the Aldens, even Henry, when she stood.
    “We’re guests of the Curtises,” Henry began, looking up at the librarian, who was staring at him very closely.
    “Yes.”
    “Well, we were curious about the old letter reprinted in the paper. The paper said that was your letter — I mean, that the letter belonged to you.”
    Mrs. Hathaway nodded.
    “We were just wondering where you found that letter. I mean, did you know it was stolen property?” Henry continued.
    Mrs. Hathaway scowled. “Now, young man, I bought that letter at a respectable antique shop on the outskirts of town — a shop I am sure would not be selling stolen property.”
    “But there have been other antiques stolen in town recently,” Jessie persisted.
    Mrs. Hathaway nodded a bit impatiently. “Yes, young lady, I am aware of that. But I am sure this shop would not be selling stolen goods, as I’ve said before.”
    “Did you buy any other letters with it?” Jessie wanted to know.
    “No, I did not, not this time, though I have bought old letters and diaries from that shop in the past. I collect articles on the town’s early history for the library.”
    “Are the letters you’ve bought from this shop in the library?” Jessie asked eagerly.
    “They most certainly are. You’ll find them on display in the small reading room to the right,” said Mrs. Hathaway, pointing. “Now may I ask why you think that letter in the paper was stolen?”
    The Aldens looked at one another. “That letter belonged to Mr. Curtis,” Benny blurted out. “He’s had a bunch of letters and other things stolen from his house.”
    Mrs. Hathaway looked surprised, even a little embarrassed. “Goodness, I had no idea.”
    Jessie told Mrs. Hathaway about the robberies on the farm. When she was finished, Mrs. Hathaway shook her head. “Poor Seymour. He certainly has been having trouble. I suppose it makes sense that letter belongs to him, since it does concern one of his ancestors. I must return it to him.” Mrs. Hathaway led the Aldens to the display case and unlocked it.
    “Here are the other old letters that belong